REUTERS-Oil prices steadied on Thursday after a surprise increase in U.S.
inventories helped stall an upward trend that has pushed global crude
benchmarks to their highest
levels since July last year.
U.S. light crude was down 15 cents at $53.91 by 1435 GMT (9:35 a.m. ET)
while North Sea Brent crude was up 10 cents at $56.32 a barrel.
Traded volumes were thin with many investors away for year-end holidays,
although the expiry of the front-month February ICE Brent contract on Thursday
could generate some activity.
Both crude oil benchmarks have made big gains this month since OPEC and
other producers agreed to curb production in an attempt to balance an
over-supplied fuel market.
"The market is in good shape although it might fail to make
significant advances this year," said analyst Tamas Varga at London
brokerage PVM Oil Associates. "If that is the case the uptrend should
continue in early January."
"Either way, the odds are still on higher numbers."
Data released by industry group the American Petroleum Institute (API)
late on Wednesday showed a 4.2 million barrel increase in U.S. crude stocks in
the week to Dec. 23. {API/S]
Analysts polled by Reuters before the report had forecast on average that
inventories would decline by 2.1 million barrels. <EIA/S>
But the overall trend appeared to be upwards with oil producers committed
to agreed output cuts.
A committee of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and
non-OPEC producers will meet in Vienna on Jan. 21-22 to discuss compliance with
the production agreement, Kuwaiti oil minister Essam Al-Marzouq told state news
agency KUNA.
"Brent will be ... positively impacted by the OPEC and non-OPEC cuts
should the agreed reductions be largely adhered to over the next six
months," said Philips Futures' investment analyst Jonathan Chan.
He said the market was awaiting inventory data from the U.S. Department
of Energy later on Thursday to see if official figures confirmed Wednesday's
API report.
"Should there be a less-than-expected drawdown or a
more-than-expected surplus, oil prices may be in for a downward reversal due to
the high concentration in speculative net long positions."
REUTERS
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